A horizontally expandable bed rail having a guard rail frame that confronts a first side of a bed to prevent a child from falling out of the bed. The guard rail frame includes a pair of vertical support members interconnected by upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members that slide horizontally in and out such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a first distance and a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced apart by a second distance that is less than the first distance.
|
1. A horizontally expandable bed rail comprising:
a) a guard rail frame for confronting a side of a bed for preventing a child from rolling off the bed;
b) first and second legs engaged to the guard rail frame, with the first and second legs being disposed horizontally to extend between a mattress and box spring of the bed;
c) wherein the guard rail frame includes first and second vertical support members;
d) wherein the guard rail frame includes upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members engaged between the first and second vertical support members;
e) wherein each of the upper, lower and intermediate support members slides in and out in a horizontal direction such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a first distance and such that the vertical support members have a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a second distance that is less than the first distance; and
f) wherein each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members comprises at least three tubes, with the tubes telescoping relative to each other.
15. A horizontally expandable bed rail comprising:
a) a guard rail frame for confronting a side of a bed for preventing a child from rolling off the bed;
b) first and second legs engaged to the guard rail frame, with the first and second legs being disposed horizontally to extend between a mattress and box spring of the bed;
c) wherein the guard rail frame includes first and second vertical support members;
d) wherein the guard rail frame includes upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members engaged between the first and second vertical support members;
e) wherein each of the upper, lower and intermediate support members slides in and out in a horizontal direction such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a first distance and such that the vertical support members have a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a second distance that is less than the first distance; and
f) wherein the guard rail frame comprises sheeting extending between the first and second vertical support members, with said sheeting extending between the upper and intermediate horizontal support members, and with said sheeting extending between the intermediate and lower horizontal support members.
10. A horizontally expandable bed rail comprising:
a) a guard rail frame for confronting a side of a bed for preventing a child from rolling off the bed;
b) first and second legs engaged to the guard rail frame, with the first and second legs being disposed horizontally to extend between a mattress and box spring of the bed;
c) wherein the guard rail frame includes first and second vertical support members;
d) wherein the guard rail frame includes upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members engaged between the first and second vertical support members;
e) wherein each of the upper, lower and intermediate support members slides in and out in a horizontal direction such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a first distance and such that the vertical support members have a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a second distance that is less than the first distance; and
f) wherein each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members comprises first, second and third tubes, with the first tube confronting the first vertical member, with the second tube confronting the second vertical member, and with the third tube being disposed between the first and second tubes and telescoping relative to the first and second tubes.
2. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
3. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
4. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
5. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
6. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
7. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
8. The horizontally expandable bed rail according to
9. The horizontally expandable bed rail according to
11. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
12. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
13. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
14. The horizontally expandable bed rail of
|
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional patent application numbers: 1) 61/391,583 filed Oct. 8, 2010, 2) 61/406,995 filed Oct. 26, 2010, 3) 61/407,013 filed Oct. 26, 2010; 4) 61/407,902 filed Oct. 28, 2010; and 5) 61/415,808 filed Nov. 19, 2010, all of which provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into this application.
The present invention relates generally to bed rail that prevents a child from falling out of bed, particularly to a bed rail having horizontal legs inserted between a mattress and box spring, and specifically to a bed rail having such legs and a horizontally expandable guard rail swingably attached to the legs and extending vertically to beyond the sleeping surface.
Consumer products are manufactured, shipped, sold to consumers, assembled, and then installed. The assembly and installation steps are often performed by the end user. The end user is, of course, likely not a mechanical engineer. Instead, the end user is likely a layman. The end user may not take the time to read the assembly and installation steps. The instructions may not be in the first language of the end user. Not surprisingly, the consumer product may be assembled or installed incorrectly.
A feature of the present invention is a horizontally expandable bed rail.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of a guard rail frame including first and second vertical support members, and upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members engaged between the first and second vertical support members, and of the upper, lower and intermediate support members sliding in and out in a horizontal direction such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a first distance and such that the vertical support members have a drawn in position where the vertical support members are spaced from each other by a second distance that is less than the first distance.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members including at least three tubes, with the tubes telescoping relative to each other.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members including first, second and third tubes, with the first tube confronting the first vertical member, with the second tube confronting the second vertical member, and with the third tube being disposed between the first and second tubes and telescoping relative to the first and second tubes.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members including a stop that prevents sliding of each horizontal support member when the extended position is obtained by such sliding.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision a horizontally expandable bed rail, of each of the vertical support members being integral and/or one-piece such that a height of said vertical support member is constant.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of a junction between a vertical support member and a horizontal support member, of the junction confronting a first side of the bed, of an anchor confronting a second side of the bed opposite of the first side, of a flexible member between the junction and the anchor such that, when tension is applied to the flexible member, the junction and the anchor hug the bed therebetween, of the anchor including an anchor lock to lock the flexible member to the anchor, and of the junction including a junction lock to lock the flexible member to the junction.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of the anchor lock being releasable to release tension on the flexible member from the anchor.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a horizontally expandable bed rail, of the junction lock being a tension junction lock that unlocks when tension on the flexible member is released and that locks when tension is placed on the flexible member.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a guard frame having a pair of end frame portions and a removable central frame portion, and of the removable central frame portion having upper, lower and intermediate horizontally extending support members that are engaged to each other when the central frame portion is engaged to the end frame portion and when the central frame portion is not engaged to the end frame portions such that engagement of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontally extending support members of the central frame portion to each other is independent of the engagement of the central frame portion to the end frame portions.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a guard frame having a pair of end frame portions and a central frame portion engaged therebetween with a set of elastic cord portions, with the elastic cord portions extending between upper horizontally extending support members of the end frame portions and the central frame portion, with the elastic cord portions extending between lower horizontally extending support members of the end frame portions and the central frame portion, and with the elastic cord portions extending between intermediate horizontally extending support members of the end frame portions and the central frame portion.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a guard frame having a pair of end frame portions, with each of the end frame portions having upper, lower and intermediate horizontally extending support members, and with each of the support members of one end frame portion engaging a support member of the other end frame portion with a lockable hinge.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a bed rail, of a guard frame having a pair of end frame portions engagable to each other, of each of the end frame portions having a vertically extending support member and upper, lower and intermediate horizontally extending support members, and of respective upper, lower and intermediate hinges connecting the vertically extending support member with the upper, lower and intermediate horizontally extending support members.
An advantage of the present invention is that assembly of a bed rail by an end user is minimized.
Another advantage of the present invention is that steps for installing the bed rail on a bed are minimized.
As shown in
The guard rail frame 12 includes first and second vertical support members 26, 28 and further includes upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 engaged between the first and second vertical support members 26, 28. Each of the upper, lower and intermediate support members 30, 32, 34 relatively slides in and out, or expands or retracts, in a horizontal direction such that the vertical support members have an extended position where the vertical support members 26, 28 are spaced from each other by a first distance and such that the vertical support members 26, 28 have a drawn in position where the vertical support members 26, 28 are spaced from each other by a second distance that is less than the first distance.
Each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 is tubular. Each of the vertical support members 26, 28 may be tubular.
Each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 is telescoping. Each of the vertical support members 26, 28 is one piece and/or integral such that a height (or length) of each of the vertical support members 26, 28 is constant such that the height (or length) of the vertical support member preferably cannot be adjusted (increased or decreased) by the end user. However, if desired, the vertical support members 26, 28 can be telescoping so as to, for example, adjust the height of the intermediate member 34 to be in or close to the plane of the sleeping surface 68 of the mattress 22.
Each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 includes at least two tubes, with the tubes telescoping relative to each other. More preferably, each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 includes at least three tubes 36, 38, 40, with the tubes 36, 38, 40 telescoping relative to each other.
Each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 24 includes first, second and third tubes 36, 38, 40, with the first tube 36 confronting the first vertical member 26, with the second tube 38 confronting the second vertical member 28, and with the third tube 40 being disposed between the first and second tubes 36, 38 and telescoping relative to the first and second tubes 36, 38. The third tube 40 (or middle tube 40) slides into each of the first and second tubes 36, 38. The first and second tubes 36, 38 have inner ends 42, with the inner ends 42 confronting each other in the drawn in or retracted position, as shown in
Each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 includes at least one stop 44 that prevents sliding of tubes 36, 40 relative to each other, or that prevents sliding of tubes 38, 40 relative to each other, when the drawn in position is obtained by the sliding.
At least two tubes such as tubes 36 and 40 (or tubes 38, 40) include (or share) the stop 44 that prevents sliding of two cooperating tubes 36, 40 (or 38, 40) when the drawn in position is obtained by such sliding. The stop 44 includes a spring biased pin 46 disposed in the tubes 36, 30 (or 38, 40) and engaging a hole 48 formed in each of the at least two tubes 36, 40 (or 38, 40). When the two holes 48 are aligned the pin 46 snaps into and through the holes 48. Pin 46 is cylindrical in the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
It should be noted that the cant of inclined top end 64 and the upright side 60 is a structure that may increase the effort required to slide tubes 36 and 40 toward each other because button or pin 58 must be relatively deeply depressed (past the inner diameter of tube 36) until tubes 36 and 40 can slide toward each other. The effort required to slide the tubes 36 and 40 away from each other is decreased because once the pin or button 58 is slightly depressed, the edge of the opening for pin or button 58 will begin to bring pressure to bear upon the cant of inclined top end 64 and this pressure itself will automatically push pin or button 58 further into tube 36.
It should be noted that the cant of inclined top end 64 may be reversed. If reversed from the structure shown in
It should be noted that spring biased button 44 includes the pin 46 (or 58) and an integral V-shaped resiliently biased spring 104 that is engaged to the inner diametrical surface of middle tube 40.
Each of the upper, lower and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 32, 34 includes stop 44 that prevents sliding of the tubes 36, 38 and 40 when the extended position is obtained by the sliding.
Upper horizontal support member 30 lies above a plane of the sleeping surface 68 of the bed 16. The intermediate horizontal support member 34 lies in one of a) the plane of the sleeping surface 68 of the bed 16 and b) a plane confronting the plane of the sleeping surface 68 of the bed 16.
The guard rail frame 12 swings relative to the first and second legs 18, 20 such that the upper horizontal support member 30 swings between a first position above the plane of a sleeping surface of the bed and a second position below the plane of a sleeping surface 68 of the bed 16. Each of such first and second positions lie in a vertical plane. Each of the first and second legs 18, 20 can also swing into the plane of the guard rail frame 12, as shown in phantom in
The horizontally expandable bed rail 10 further includes a counter member or anchor 70 (as shown in
The guard rail frame 12 comprises sheeting 74 extending between the first and second vertical support members 26, 28, with the sheeting 74 extending between the upper and intermediate horizontal support members 30, 34, and with the sheeting 74 extending between the intermediate and lower horizontal support members 34, 32.
Each of the vertical support members 26, 28 is integral such that a height of the vertical support member 26 (or 28) is constant. Each of the vertical support members 26, 28 is one-piece such that a height of the vertical support member 26 (or 28) is constant.
In operation, the bed rail 10 is taken out of a box in a stored configuration. In this stored configuration, the ends 42 of tubes 36 and 38 confront (make contact with or are adjacent with one another) or abut (make contact with) each other such that each of the members 30, 32, 34 are in the retracted position. In this retracted position, the button 44 is preferably not engaged in aligned openings. However, if desired, one pair of aligned openings may be formed between tubes 36 and 40 and another pair of aligned openings may be formed between tubes 38 and 40 to keep the members 30, 32, 34 from sliding outward unintentionally when stored. In this stored configuration, the legs 18 and 20 have been swung up to be coplanar with the guard rail frame 12. In this stored configuration, it is preferable that the flexible member or strap 78 has already been engaged to the anchor or counter member 70 and to its respective leg 18 or 20.
After being taken out of the box, the vertical side members 26 and 28 may be pulled apart, whereupon the members 30, 32, 34 expand or telescope outward until the buttons 44 snap into the aligned openings 48, whereupon such expansion stops. Then the legs 18, 20 are swung out of the plane of the guard rail frame 12 to be at generally a right angle, or slightly less than a right angle, relative to the guard rail frame 12. If desired, there may be multiple aligned openings formed between tubes 36 and 40 on the one hand and tubes 38 and 40 on the other hand, such that a distance between vertical side members 26, 28 may be adjusted. Then the bed rail 10 may be engaged to bed 16 by employing the flexible members 78 and anchors 70.
To take down and store the bed rail 10, the operation is reversed. The flexible members 78 and anchors 70 are removed from the bed 16. The legs 18, 20 are swung to be coplanar with the guard rail frame 12. The buttons 44 are depressed and then the side vertical members 26 and 28 are pushed toward each other until the ends 42 confront or abut each other. Then the bed rail 10 may be placed back in its storage box.
Buttons 44 are preferably employed at least twice on each of the horizontal members 30, 32 and 34, where one button 44 acts as a stop between tubes 36 and 40 and where another button 44 acts as a stop between tubes 38 and 40 such that a total of six buttons 44 is preferably employed. However, if desired, buttons 44 may be absent from one of the horizontal members 30, 32, 34 and, if such is the case, it is preferred that the buttons 44 are absent from the intermediate member 34.
Horizontal members 36 are preferably welded to vertical side member 28. Horizontal members 38 are preferably welded to vertical side member 28.
In the expanded form, such as in
Each of the members 30, 32 and 34 includes tube 40 that preferably slides within tubes 36 and 38. However, if desired, tubes 36 and 38 can slide inside of tube 40. Or, if desired, tube 36 can slide within tube 40, which in turn can slide within tube 38. Or, if desired, tube 38 can slide within tube 40, which in turn can slide within tube 36.
Bed rail 10 is a bed rail that can be set up by the end user with no installation of parts. The bed rail 10 is preassembled at the factory. As described above, the end user takes the bed rail 10 out of the box, swings the legs 18, 20 down, and pulls part the vertical side members 26, 28, whereupon the buttons 44 snap into place, whereupon the bed rail 10 takes on an operating configuration.
The embodiment of
The horizontally expandable bed rail 10 for the bed 16 having the first side 14 and the second side 72 includes the guard rail frame 12 for confronting the side 14 of the bed 16 for preventing a child from rolling off the bed 16, the leg 18 (or 20) engaged to the guard rail frame 12, with the leg 18 (or 20) being disposed horizontally to extend between the mattress 22 and box spring 24 of the bed 16, wherein the guard rail frame 12 includes at least one vertical support member 26 (or 28), wherein the guard rail frame 12 includes at least one horizontal support member 30 (or 32 or 34), a junction 76 between said at least one vertical support member 26 (or 28) and said at least one horizontal support member 30 (or 32 or 34), with the junction 76 confronting the first side 14 of the bed 16, an anchor or counter member 70 confronting the second side 72 of the bed 16, a flexible member 78 such as a flat strap between the junction 76 and the anchor 70 such that, when tension is applied to the flexible member 78, the junction 76 and the anchor 70 hug the bed 16 therebetween, wherein the anchor 70 includes a anchor lock 80 (shown in
Counter member 70 may include a lower counter member portion 84 as shown in
Anchor 70 may include a horizontally extending portion 86 that has a slot or hollow portion or tubular portion through which flexible member or strap 78 extends such that flexible member 78 enters a proximal end of the anchor 70 and exits a distal end of the anchor 70. The distal end is accessible to the end user.
Junction lock 82 includes an L-shaped member 88. L-shaped member 88 pivots on a transversely or laterally extending pin 90. Pin 90 is engaged to junction 76, such as to sidewalls of the junction 76. Junction 76 may be a molded plastic body having such sidewalls. L-shaped member 88 includes a lower end portion 92 that engages one end of the flexible member 78. Flexible member 78 extends through one or more hollow or tubular portions of junction 76 and through one or more hollow or tubular portions of leg 18 (or leg 20). Lower end portion 92 is also engaged to a coil spring 94, which in turn is engaged to a pin 96. Pin 96 is engaged to each of junction 76 and guard rail frame 12. Pin 96 is the pivot point about which the guard rail 12 swings. An upper end portion 98 of the L-shaped member 88 includes a cutout 100 or detent portion 100 that engages a pin 102 that is engaged to the guard rail frame 12. When tension on the flexible member or strap 78 is released (such as when anchor lock 80 is unlocked), the coil spring 94 automatically draws in lower end portion 92 of L-shaped member 88, which in turn pivots and draws its upper end portion 98 up and away and out of engagement with pin 102, thereby permitting guard rail portion 12 to be swung downwardly and outwardly from the first side 18 of the bed 16. When tension on the flexible member or strap 78 is present, lower end portion 92 draws the coil spring 94 relatively tightly and maintains the cutout 100 in engagement with pin 102, thereby keeping the guard rail frame 12 in an upright position against the first side 14 of the bed 16.
In operation, starting from the locked and upright position, anchor lock or buckle 80 is released so as to release tension in flexible member 78, whereupon the spring 94 draws the lower end 92 of the L-shaped member 88 toward the pivot pin 96 in the counter clockwise direction from the perspective of
Although anchor lock 80 is preferred, the flexible member 78 and the anchor 80 do not, if desired, have to be related to the junction lock 82. Instead, lower end portion 92 can be engaged in the housing of junction 76 to a laterally extending handle and lock, such that operation of such handle and lock rotates the L-shaped member 88 clockwise and counter clockwise from the perspective of
If desired, cable 140 may extend through tubular leg 112.
If desired, housing 116 may not include receptacle portion 118 such that side vertical member 110 of guard frame 108 lies on the outside of the housing 114 instead of inside of the housing 116.
Although anchor lock 80 is preferred for the apparatus of
In operation, starting from a locked and upright position of the guard frame 108, the anchor lock 80 is unlocked, thereby releasing tension on the flexible member or cable 140, whereupon the coil spring 130 draws the shaft of the pin 126 upwardly and out from engagement with slots 132, whereupon the guard frame 108 can be swung away from the first side of the bed 16, through the horizontal, and to a dropped down position against the first side of the bed 16. This permits relatively easy access to the sleeping surface of the bed 16. Then, to place the guard frame 108 back in its locked and upright position, the guard frame 108 is swung upwardly through the horizontal to substantially the vertical position, whereupon the counter member 70 is positioned on the second side of the bed, whereupon the flexible member 78 or cable 140 is pulled through the counter member 70 to draw the shaft of the pin 126 into engagement with slots 132, whereupon the flexible member 78 or cable 140 locked to the anchor lock 80 to lock the guard frame 108 in the upright position.
In the embodiments of
Guard frame 152 includes a one-piece left side 154 having an L-shaped tube 156, a lower tube 160, and a middle tube 158. Middle tube 158 lies in the plane of the sleeping surface of a bed. L-shaped tube 156 includes a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion. Each of the inner ends of the tubes 158 and 160 is a male end. Also, the inner end of the horizontally extending portion of the L-shaped member 156 is a male end. Guard frame 154 further includes a one-piece right side 162 that is identical to the one-piece left side 154. The male extensions of the three inner ends of the left side 154 may, or may not, include buttons 44. The male extensions of the three inner ends of the right side 162 may, or may not, include buttons 44. Buttons 44 may be of the type shown in
A tethered tube package 164 interconnects the left side 154 to the right side 162. The tethered tube package 164 includes center tubes 146, 148 and 150 interconnected by a tether or flexible material 166. Tether 166 is a flexible piece of flat webbing 158 fixed to each of the tubes 146, 148, 150 by rivets 170. Webbing 168 may be double layered. That is webbing 168 may extend on each 180 degree portion of the tubes 146, 148 and 150. For example, on top tube 146, webbing 168 is run over tube 146 and then doubled back on itself and stitched immediately underneath tube 146. Then two band portions of webbing 168 run together down to tube 148, where the two band portions are riveted to tube 148, and where stitching through the webbing 168 is present immediately above and below tube 148. Then two band portions of webbing 168 run down to lower tube 150 where the webbing 168 extends substantially 360 degrees about the lower tube 150. Webbing 168 is stitched back to itself immediately above the lower tube 150. It should be noted that tubes 146, 148 and 150 do not spin in the substantially 360 degree loops formed by webbing 168 since the webbing 168 is riveted twice to each tube 146, 148 and 150. Each of the rivets 170 includes a head on each side of the tubes 146, 148 and 150. Each of the center tubes 146, 148 and 150 have a female end at each of the ends. One advantage of tether 166 is that there are no lost or missing parts.
The type of bed rail in which guard frame 152 is used is not especially limited. For example, guard frame 152 may be substituted for the guard frame shown in the embodiments of
Guard frame 152 is easily stored. When stored, right side 156 and left side 162 may lie in the same plane, with the vertical side tubes being opposite one another, and with the three inwardly extending horizontal tubes being disposed between each other or staggered relative to each other such that the inner button ends of the right side 156 lie adjacent to the vertical side tube of the left side 162. When stored, the right side 156 and left side 162 may lie perfectly on top of each other, since the right side 156 is a minor image of the left side 162. When stored, the tethered tube package 164 is bundled such that the tubes 146, 148 and 150 lie parallel and adjacent to each other.
Each of the male/female couplings in this embodiment overlaps for an effective distance in the axial or horizontal direction to provide a lateral or transverse strength to the interconnection. Such an effective distance is preferably more than one inch, more preferably more than two inches, even more preferably more than three inches, and yet more preferably more than four inches. Such an effective distance is preferably less than 12 inches.
In the embodiments of
In the butterfly folding guard rail frame 172 of
Each of the hinges 174, 176, and 178 is shaped generally in the form of a saddle having two inverted U-shaped portions. Each of the inverted U-shaped saddle portions engages the upper half surface of an inner end of one of the horizontal support members 184, 186, 188, 190, 192 and 194. Each pair of U-shaped saddle portions is interconnected by a pair of arms that are pivotally affixed to the respective end of the respective horizontal support member. Each of the hinges 174, 176, 178 permits the respective pairs of horizontal support members 184 and 186, 188 and 190, 192 and 194 to pivot into and out of the inverted V-forms shown in
Guard rail frame 172 includes a) upper tubes 184, 186, middle tubes 188, 190 to be disposed in the plane of the sleeping surface of a bed, lower tubes 192, 194, left side tubes 196, 198, right side tubes 200, 202, releasably locking center hinges 174, 176 and 178 interconnecting tube pairs 184, 186 and 188, 190 and 192 and 194, respectively, upper straight hinges 204, 206 which may or may not be releasably locking, middle L-shaped hinges 208, 210 which may or may not be releasably locking, and lower L-shaped hinges 212, 214 which may or may not be releasably locking. A bed rail or bed rail apparatus having guard rail frame 172 may further include b) a pair of junctions; c) a pair of legs such as legs 18, 20; and d) anchors 70 engaged to the legs 18, 20 via flexible members or straps 78.
Hinge 204 is connected between tubes 198 and 184. Hinge 206 is connected between tubes 186 and 202. Hinge 208 is connected between tubes 198 and 188. Hinge 210 is connected between tubes 202 and 210. Hinge 212 is connected between tubes 196 and 192. Hinge 214 is connected between tubes 200 and 194.
It should be noted that in the folded up form of
To fold the bed rail 172 from the form shown in
For example, guard frame 172 may be substituted for the guard frame shown in the embodiments of
In the embodiments of
In the embodiments of
Guard frame 202 includes a one-piece left side 208 having an L-shaped tube 210, a lower tube 212, and a middle tube 214. Middle tube 214 lies in the plane of the sleeping surface of a bed. L-shaped tube 210 includes a horizontally extending portion and a vertically extending portion. Each of the inner ends of the lower and middle tubes 212 and 214 is a female end. Also, the inner end of the horizontally extending portion 216 of the L-shaped tube 210 is a female end. Guard frame 202 further includes a one-piece right side 218 that is identical to the one-piece left side 208.
Each of the left side and right side guard frame portions 208, 218 have a pivot portion 220 that may be integral and one-piece with lower tube 212. Pivot portion 220 projects outwardly beyond the vertically extending portion 222 of left side L-shaped tube 210 and beyond the vertically extending portion 222 of the L-shaped tube of right side piece 218. Pivot portion 220 serves to mount a pivot junction or housing 224 on a proximal end of leg 206. Junction or housing 224 can lock the guard frame 202 in an up position confronting the side of a bed and projecting beyond the sleeping surface of a bed to prevent a child from rolling off the sleeping surface. Junction or housing 224 can permit the guard frame 202 to swing away from the sleeping surface and swing down to a down position confronting the first side of the bed 16, i.e., to a position about 180 degrees from the up position. As to junction or housing 224, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/406,995 filed Oct. 26, 2010 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/253,871 filed Oct. 5, 2011 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. With such a junction 224, a proximal end of a flexible member 78 is operatively engaged to a buckle 106 (shown in
Guard frame 202 further has upper, middle and lower center tubes 226, 228, 230. Each of the outer ends of each of the tubes 226, 228, 230 preferably has a male end that mates with the respective female inner end of tubes 216, 214, 212 of the left side and right side portions 208, 218. If desired, such outer ends may be female ends and such inner ends may be male ends. If desired, the male ends of the tubes 226, 228, and 230 may include buttons 44 to engage six respective button receiving openings that may be formed at the inner ends of tubes 212, 214 and 216 of the left and right side portions 208, 218. If the male ends are on the inner ends, such male inner ends may have buttons 44 and the respective outer ends of members 226, 228 and 230 may include button receiving openings.
Elastic cording 204 extends through each of the upper, middle and lower center tubes 226, 228, 230 and further extends into the female openings formed by tubes 216, 214 and 212 of the left side and right side portions 208, 218. Elastic cording 204 is under constant, albeit low, tension such that when, for example, upper central tube 226 is engaged to tube 216, the cording 204 does not droop under the force of gravity and get in the way of the engagement between the male and female ends.
It should be noted that elastic cording 204 can include three separate upper, middle and lower cords 232, 234 and 236. For example, cord 232 may be anchored in each of the upper horizontally extending tubes 216 of left and right side portions 208, 218 and then extend into and through center tube 226. Likewise, middle cord 234 can be anchored in middle tube 214 of the left and right side portions 208, 218, or anchored elsewhere in the portions 208, 218, and then extend into and through middle center tube 228. Also, lower cord 236 can be anchored in lower tube 212 of the left and right side portions 208, 218, or anchored elsewhere in the portions 208, 218, and then extend into and through lower center tube 230.
It should be noted that elastic cording 204 can have essentially two outer column portions and three row portions that are interconnected, where the outer column cord portions extend through the vertical tube portions 222, where the row cord portions extend through tubes or tube portions 212, 214, 216 of the left and right side frame portions 208, 218, and where the row cord portions further extend through the center tubes 226, 228, 230.
It should be noted that the elastic cording 204 can include of three relatively short cord portions, where each of the cord portions, such as cord portions 232, 234 and 236 are anchored in the inner end portions of tubes 212, 214 and 216 of each of the left side and right side portions 208, 218 and then extend into and through the center tubes 226, 228, and 230.
It should be noted that the elastic cording 204 can include three relatively short cord portions, where each of the cord portions, such as cord portions 232, 234, 236 are anchored in the inner end portions of tubes 212, 214 and 216 of each of the left side and right side portions 208, 218, and then the other ends of the cord portions 232, 234, 236 do not extend fully through tubes 226, 228, 230 but instead are anchored inside the outer ends of the tubes 226, 228, 230 such that there are a total of six relatively short cord portions where three of the relatively short cord portions extend from left side portion 208 and the other three relatively short cord portions extend from right side portion 218.
With such elastic cording 204, the chances are minimized that the end user will not misplace any parts or assemble the guard frame 202 incorrectly. Elastic cording 204 can help draw the respective ends of the tubes together for engagement.
With such elastic cording 204, storage space is minimized. In other words, the guard frame 202 in the unassembled form, occupies a minimum of space, since the left side and right side portions 208, 218 can be placed on top of each other or in a substantially planar form where the tubes 212, 214 and 216 are staggered relative to each other or in another fashion where undue stress is not placed on the elastic cording 204.
It should be noted that, if desired, center tubes 226, 228 and 230 may have female outer ends and that respective tubes 216, 214, and 212 may have male ends, or there may be some combination of female/male ends, where left side portion 208 has one type of either male or female ends and where right side portion 218 has the other type of either male or female ends. Or each of upper, middle and lower center tubes 226, 228, 230 can have one type of male and female ends at its left side and the same or other type of male and female ends at its right side. A male/female type of connection is preferred because such adds strength to a multi-piece tube arrangement, i.e., the male portion extends for a substantial longitudinal distance into the female ends.
Each of the male/female couplings in this embodiment overlaps for an effective distance in the axial or horizontal direction to provide a lateral or transverse strength to the interconnection. Such an effective distance is preferably more than one inch, more preferably more than two inches, even more preferably more than three inches, and yet more preferably more than four inches. Such an effective distance is preferably less than 12 inches.
Guard frame 202 includes a flexible wall 238 interconnected among the left and right side portions 208, 218 and the center tubes 226, 228, and 230.
Guard frame 202 can include the counter members 70 engaged to the legs 206 with members 78 such as flexible straps.
In the embodiment of
End portion or one-piece left side 306 includes an L-shaped tube or support member 312, a lower tube or horizontally extending support member 314, and a middle or intermediate tube or horizontally extending support member 316. Middle tube 316 lies in the plane of the sleeping surface of a bed when the legs 310 are disposed between the mattress and box spring of the bed. L-shaped tube 312 includes an upper horizontally extending portion or upper tube portion 318 and a vertically extending portion or vertical tube portion 320. Each of the inner ends of the lower tube 314, middle tube 316 and upper tube portion 318 is preferably a female end.
Guard frame 302 further includes end portion 308 or one-piece right side 308 that is identical to the end portion 306 or one-piece left side 306.
Each of the left side and right side guard frame portions 306, 308 have a pivot portion 322 that may be integral and one-piece with lower tube 314. Pivot portion 322 projects outwardly beyond the vertically extending portion 320 of left side L-shaped tube 312 and beyond the vertically extending portion 320 of the L-shaped tube of right side piece 302. Pivot portion 322 serves to mount a pivot junction or pivot housing 324 on a proximal end of leg 310. Junction or housing 324 can lock the guard frame 302 in an up position confronting the side of a bed and projecting beyond the sleeping surface of a bed to prevent a child from rolling off the sleeping surface. Junction or housing 324 can permit the guard frame 302 to swing away from the sleeping surface and swing down to a down position confronting the side of a bed, i.e., to a position about 180 degrees from the up position. As to junction or housing 324 in
Guard frame 302 further includes upper, intermediate or middle, and lower center tubes or horizontal support members 326, 328, 330. Each of the outer ends of each of the tubes 326, 328, 330 is a male end 332 that mates with the respective inner female end 334 of tubes 318, 316, 314 of the left side and right side portions 306, 308.
It should be noted that, if desired, center tubes 326, 328 and 330 may have female outer ends and that respective tubes or tube portions 318, 316, 314 may have male ends, or there may be some combination of female/male ends, where left side portion 306 has one type of either male or female ends and where right side portion 308 has the other type of either male or female ends. Or each of upper, middle and lower center tubes 326, 328, 330 can have one type of male and female ends at its left side and the same or other type of male and female ends at its right side. A male/female type of connection is preferred because such adds strength to a multi-piece tube arrangement, i.e., the male portion extends for a substantial longitudinal distance into the female ends.
Each of the male/female couplings in this embodiment overlaps for an effective distance in the axial or horizontal direction to provide a lateral or transverse strength to the interconnection. Such an effective distance is preferably more than one inch, more preferably more than two inches, even more preferably more than three inches, and yet more preferably more than four inches. Such an effective distance is preferably less than 12 inches.
If desired, the male ends of the tubes 326, 328, and 330 may include buttons 44 to engage six respective button receiving openings that may be formed at the inner ends 334 of tubes 314, 316, and 318 of the left and right side portions 306, 308. If the male ends are on the inner ends, such male inner ends may have buttons 44 and the respective outer ends of members 326, 328 and 330 may include button receiving openings.
Frame central portion 304 includes the three center tubes or horizontally extending support members 326, 328, 330, further includes a first rigid member 336 pivotally engaged between upper and middle tubes 326 and 328, and further includes a second rigid member 338 pivotally engaged between middle and lower tubes 328 and 330. The purpose of the first and second rigid members 336, 338 is to interconnect the three center tubes 326, 328 and 330 such that a user assembling the bed rail 300 does not leave out one of the center tubes 326, 328, 330 during assembly. The engagement between the rigid members 336 and 338 and the three center tubes 326, 328, 330 is permanent such that rigid members 336, 338 cannot be removed from center tubes 326, 328, 330 without destroying the integrity of any such tubes or the integrity of the central portion 304.
Rigid member 336, such as a bar or flat metal strip, includes an upper end that is pivotally affixed to an end of upper center tube 326. Rigid member 336 includes a lower end that is pivotally affixed to an end of middle center tube 328. One end of rigid member 336 confronts end frame portion 306. The other end of rigid member 336 confronts end frame portion 308.
Rigid member 338, such as a bar or flat metal strip, includes an upper end that is pivotally affixed to an end of middle center tube 328. Rigid member 338 includes a lower end that is pivotally affixed to an end of lower center tube 330. One end of rigid member 338 confronts end frame portion 306. The other end of rigid member 338 confronts end frame portion 308.
The pivotal engagement between rigid members 336, 338 and their respective center tubes 326, 328, 330 includes a pivot pin 340 extending through the respective rigid member 336, 338 and into the respective center tube 326, 328, 330.
Rigid members 336, 338 are straight or rectilinear and run in an oblique manner relative to each other, not a parallel manner relative to each other. The oblique relationship stems from upper tube 326 lying at a first distance from middle tube 328, from lower tube 330 lying at a second distance from middle tube 328, and from such first and second distances being different from each other. Upper, middle and lower tubes 326, 328, 330 run parallel to each other.
Rigid members 336, 338 also run obliquely relative to each of the upper, intermediate, and lower tubes 326, 328, 330.
Upper, middle and lower tubes 326, 328, 330 are coplanar when engaged between end portions 306, 308. Further, a front tangential plane set on a front face of central portion 304 when engaged between end portions 306, 308 tangentially engages upper, middle and lower tubes 326, 328, 330. It is in this front tangential plane that the rigid members 336, 338 extend.
As shown in
In the folded open and operating position of bed rail 300, tube portion 318 of end portion 306, tube 326 and tube portion 318 of end portion 308 are coaxial. Tube 316 of end portion 306, tube 328 and tube 316 of end portion 308 are coaxial. Tube 314 of end portion 306, tube 330 and tube 314 of end portion 308 are coaxial.
Guard frame 302 includes a flexible wall or sheeting 342 interconnected among the central portion 304 and end portions 306, 308.
Guard frame 302 can include the counter members 70 engaged to the legs 310 with flexible straps or members 78. Instead of flexible straps or members 78, rigid members or telescoping members may be utilized between legs 310 and counter members 70.
Vertical side member 320 is preferably one-piece. However, if desired, as shown by junction 343, vertical member 320 may be broken down into two pieces, with such two pieces being engagable together by having a male/female connection, which is shown by the button 44 of the lower piece being engaged in a button receiving hole formed in the upper piece. By making the vertical side member 320 two pieces, the bed rail of
In the embodiment of
While bed rail 300 of
Removable central portion 348 includes an upper center tube or horizontally extending support member 350, an intermediate or middle center tube or horizontally extending support member 352, and a lower center tube or horizontally extending support member 354. Removable central portion 348 further includes a vertically extending upper center post or tube 356 and a vertically extending lower center post or tube 358.
Upper and lower portions of upper post 356 are welded to upper and middle center tubes 350, 352, respectively. Upper and lower portions of lower post 358 are welded to middle and lower center tubes 352, 354, respectively. Posts 356, 358 are coaxial.
Removable central portion 348 is composed of five tubes welded together to prevent a user or consumer from forgetting to install one tube such as a horizontally extending center tube. Removable central portion 348 is one-piece. None of the portions 350, 352, 354, 356, 358 can be separated or disengaged from any of its adjoining portions without destroying the integrity of such portions or the integrity of the removable central portion 348 as a whole.
Center tubes 350, 352, 354 run parallel to each other and at right angles to each of the center posts 356, 358. Each of center tubes 350, 352 and 354 are straight or rectilinear. Each of the center posts 356, 358 are straight or rectilinear.
Instead of separate center posts 356, 358, a single center post may be utilized. In such a case where a single center post is utilized, such single center post may be slide through an opening formed centrally in middle center tube 352 and be welded to the middle center tube 352 at surfaces adjoining the opening.
Each of the outer ends of upper, middle and lower center tubes 350, 352, 354 is a male end 360. Male ends 360 engage female ends 334 of end portions 306, 308.
As with bed rail 300, male ends 360 and female ends 334 may be mixed and matched. In other words, it should be noted that, if desired, center tubes 350, 352, 354 may have female outer ends and that respective tubes or tube portions 318, 316, 314 may have male ends, or there may be some combination of female/male ends, where left side portion 306 has one type of either male or female ends and where right side portion 308 has the other type of either male or female ends. Or each of upper, middle and lower center tubes 350, 352, 354 can have one type of male and female ends at its left side and the same or other type of male and female ends at its right side. A male/female type of connection is preferred because such adds strength to a multi-piece tube arrangement, i.e., the male portion extends for a substantial longitudinal or axial distance into the female ends.
Each of the male/female couplings in this embodiment overlaps for an effective distance in the axial or horizontal direction to provide a lateral or transverse strength to the interconnection. Such an effective distance is preferably more than one inch, more preferably more than two inches, even more preferably more than three inches, and yet more preferably more than four inches. Such an effective distance is preferably less than 12 inches.
Like the embodiments of
Further, it should be noted that, whatever the combination of female or male ends, and whether or not such ends include buttons and button receiving openings, or of any other type of connection, the exposed ends of end portion 306 are preferably not connectable or engagable with the exposed ends of end portion 308 such that a user cannot connect end portion 306 to end portion 308. With the embodiments shown in
In bed rail 344, tube portion 318 of end portion 306, tube 350 and tube portion 318 of end portion 308 are coaxial. Tube 316 of end portion 306, tube 352 and tube 316 of end portion 308 are coaxial. Tube 314 of end portion 306, tube 354 and tube 314 of end portion 308 are coaxial.
Guard frame 346 includes the flexible wall or sheeting 342 interconnected among the central portion 348 and end portions 306, 308.
Guard frame 346 can include the counter members 70 engaged to the legs 310 with flexible straps or members 78. Instead of flexible straps or members 78, rigid members or telescoping members may be utilized between legs 310 and counter members 70.
In the embodiment of
A part or parts from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. A part or parts from one embodiment may be replaced with a part or parts of another embodiment. In other words, a bed rail or guard frame according to the invention may feature a first part from a first embodiment, a second part from a second embodiment, a third part from a third embodiment, a fourth part from a fourth embodiment, and so on. For example, the frame of bed rail 172 of
Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Flannery, Mark A., Million, Porter R.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10117524, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having rotating seat for guard frame |
10674837, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having rotating seat for guard frame |
10827849, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having center tubes connected to each other |
10932590, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having rotating seat for guard frame |
11350760, | Oct 05 2018 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail with offset rails |
11406197, | Oct 01 2020 | Regalo International, LLC | Pull up push down bed rail |
11759030, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having tethered center tubes to minimize improper assembly |
11832735, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having rotating seat for guard frame |
8966682, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Guard frame tension lock for bed rail |
9038214, | Dec 07 2009 | Standex International Corporation | Hippa privacy infectious control screen for gurneys and other mobile transportable beds for emergency and other inter and intra healthcare facility transfers |
9155400, | Oct 08 2010 | Regalo International, LLC | Bed rail having one-piece end frames connected to central frame by elastic members |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
3290701, | |||
4724559, | Jan 16 1987 | Invacare Corporation | Telescoping bed side rail |
5038430, | Mar 22 1990 | Invacare Corporation | Attaching means for bed cross brace |
5596776, | Nov 28 1995 | Link Treasure Limited | Collapsible safeguard rail structure |
5671490, | Nov 13 1996 | Collapsible bed rail structure | |
6990697, | Aug 20 2004 | Bed rail with entrapment-resistant side panel | |
7013508, | May 28 2004 | Bed rail assembly | |
7028353, | Jan 14 2003 | FCC, LLC D B A FIRST CAPITAL | Adjustable bed rail |
7302720, | Aug 30 2002 | Regalo International, LLC | One direction button mechanism |
7373679, | Oct 18 2005 | STANDER, INC | Adjustable mobility assistance device |
7640606, | Aug 30 2002 | Regalo International, LLC | Mattress hugging bed rail |
7913333, | Aug 30 2002 | Regalo International, LLC | Mattress hugging bed rail |
20060162075, | |||
20110179569, | |||
20120084915, | |||
20120084916, | |||
GB2225716, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Oct 08 2011 | Regalo International, LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Dec 22 2011 | FLANNERY, MARK A | Regalo International, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 027444 | /0372 | |
Dec 23 2011 | MILLION, PORTER R | Regalo International, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 027444 | /0372 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
May 26 2017 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Oct 04 2017 | M2551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity. |
Oct 04 2017 | M2554: Surcharge for late Payment, Small Entity. |
Apr 02 2021 | M2552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Oct 15 2016 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Apr 15 2017 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 15 2017 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Oct 15 2019 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Oct 15 2020 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Apr 15 2021 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 15 2021 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Oct 15 2023 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Oct 15 2024 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Apr 15 2025 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Oct 15 2025 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Oct 15 2027 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |